Gianluigi Buffon to retire unless Juventus win Champions League

[van der star]

Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will retire at the end of the season unless his club win the Champions League.

The 39-year-old hopes to play in next summer's World Cup and would extend his career for the Club World Cup if Juventus won Europe's elite trophy.

The Serie A side have been beaten in the Champions League final twice in the past three years.

"This is my last season and I'm pretty sure of the choices I make," he said.

"One or two more years wouldn't add or take away from what I've already achieved.

"The only way would be to win the Champions League. At that point, to try to win the Club World Cup, maybe (Wojciech) Szczesny could play one game and me another.

"But I think with a goalkeeper like him behind it is normal that next year I'll stand aside," he told Sky Italia.

Buffon, who began his career at Parma before joining Juventus for £23m in 2001, was named goalkeeper of the year at Fifa's The Best awards on Monday.

He won the World Cup in 2006 and has also claimed eight Serie A titles, four Italian Cups and a Uefa Cup, but has never won the Champions League.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Adiós then.

 

[DWelbz19]

Fair enough. Some career he’s had.

Why wouldn’t he retire if they win it? Surely you want to go on an even bigger high?

 

[Borden]

Fair enough. Some career he’s had.

Why wouldn’t he retire if they win it? Surely you want to go on an even bigger high?

Because he wants to win the Club World Cup...

 

[RDCR07]

Fair enough. Some career he’s had.

Why wouldn’t he retire if they win it? Surely you want to go on an even bigger high?

He just explained it there. Cause he would want to play in the Club WC.

 

[shamans]

One of the best beards in world football.

 

[DWelbz19]

Aye, I read that. So is it just for that game, or would he carry on a whole extra season just for the club World Cup?

 

[Sunny Jim]

He is a goalkeeper of old style. When he kicks a ball it goes high, the curve is very steep while modern keepers kick ball so the trajectory is flatter.

 

[pascell]

Aye, I read that. So is it just for that game, or would he carry on a whole extra season just for the club World Cup?

Extra season I guess as it's held around December time, don't think he'd retire straight after that, although that'd be the career high to retire on.

 

[K2K]

Well goodbye then.

 

[kouroux]

That's stupid because retiring after winning it would be class.

 

[Krakle]

A proper legend.

 

[SirAF]

Goes to show some of the naysayers how highly rated the CWC is by the pros.

 

[Samid]

So is he retiring before or after the World Cup?

 

[Peyroteo]

So is he retiring before or after the World Cup?

After

 

[JamesB__]

Highly doubt Juve will even get to the final this time but we’ll see. 2003 was his best chance, losing on penalties vs Milan. They were never really in the game against either Barca or Madrid.

 

[The Stain]

After

Before, because Sweden will beat Italy in the playoffs. Lol, who am i kidding?

 

[rcoobc]

That's stupid because retiring after winning it would be class.

He could retire and come back just for the Club World Cup matches

 

[PoTMS]

At that point, to try to win the Club World Cup, maybe () Szczesny could play one game and me another.

"But I think with a goalkeeper like him behind it is normal that next year I'll stand aside," he told Sky Italia.

Wait, there’s another Wojciech Szczesny?

 

[DannyCAFC]

Wait, there’s another Wojciech Szczesny?

What do you mean another?

 

[PoTMS]

What do you mean another?

With the way Buffon talks about him, this can’t be the same Szczesney we saw at Arsenal.

 

[Skills]

Stepping aside for Sir Chesney? What the feck am i reading

 

[Siorac]

He's still only 39? I feel like he's been 40 for like 5 years at least.

 

[Bepi]

Woj improved a lot at Roma and Van der Sar actually did the opposite (sh*t in Italy, great in the PL).

 

[Alfie092]

Stepping aside for Sir Chesney? What the feck am i reading

 

[Alfie092]

Sadly for him at least I don't think Juve would go beyond the semi-finals this year round... I may be wrong!

 

[DannyCAFC]

With the way Buffon talks about him, this can’t be the same Szczesney we saw at Arsenal.

He never said he was any good.

 

[James Peril]

I’d rather see Zlatan win the CL and retire from real football this season, but let’s not kid ourselves.....

 

[Acole9]

That's stupid because retiring after winning it would be class.

Exactly what I thought.

 

[izec]

I would do the same. Winning the Club world cup would be the cherry on the CL cake. More trophies for Gigi, he is a winner

 

[el3mel]

Best GK ever imo.

 

[ADJUDICATOR]

He never said he was any good.

"The only way would be to win the Champions League. At that point, to try to win the Club World Cup, maybe (Wojciech) Szczesny could play one game and me another.

"But I think with a goalkeeper like him behind it is normal that next year I'll stand aside," he told Sky Italia.

 

[PoTMS]

He never said he was any good.

Mate, did you even read what he said? It’s either that or Gianluigi thinks so little of himself.

 

[BigTimeCharlie]

One of the best beards in world football.

You rate beards like Klopp rates defenders. The man has never had a beard, merely stubble!

 

[kouroux]

You rate beards like Klopp rates defenders. The man has never had a beard, merely stubble!

Spot on

 

[Ecstatic]

He wants to provoke his own destiny.

Brilliant superstitious man.

 

[Infordin]

Highly doubt Juve will even get to the final this time but we’ll see. 2003 was his best chance, losing on penalties vs Milan. They were never really in the game against either Barca or Madrid.

That Nedved yellow card though... That changed the destiny of the final.

 

[DannyCAFC]

Mate, did you even read what he said? It’s either that or Gianluigi thinks so little of himself.

Chill the feck out lads, it was a joke...

 

[17 Van der Gouw]

Such a class act.

One of my favourite non-United players, along with Pirlo.

 

[K2K]

Tough year for him this.

UCL final loss and now this.